Reynolds Recruiters Tell All

The hiring process can seem long and tedious. Waiting to find out if you got the job is often one of the most stressful, longest waits of your life. To help put you more at ease, I sat down with some of the recruiters at Reynolds and Reynolds to get the inside scoop on what and what not to do.

What To Do:

Matt, Malia, Kaitlyn, and Jennifer all agree it is vital you prepare for the interview. Do research on the company and industry served. Write down questions. Everyone agrees it is a breath of fresh air when candidates walk in with prepared information. It doesn’t happen often enough, and it shows how interested and engaged candidates are in their future career.

Along with arriving prepared, bring a positive attitude and be friendly to everyone in the building. Positivity is contagious and friendliness goes a long way. Remember this is the first impression your future employer and colleagues will get of you, so make an effort to start off on the right foot.

Lastly, Jennifer recommends to always answer your phone in the days immediately following an interview. It might be difficult with classes or a busy schedule to answer your phone, but be aware when the recruiting department might be calling you and give your professor or employer a heads up you might step out to answer an important call. If there is no way you can dismiss yourself, let the recruiting department know when the best time to reach you is and answer their call then. It's important to show you are interested and serious about the position you inquired about and interviewed for.

What Not To Do:

Matt suggests you don’t air your dirty laundry about your previous employment, including colleagues and former bosses. On the other hand, do bring points about what you didn’t like in your previous position. For example, if you needed more creative freedom and would be interested in that in future positions, make that known. Airing dirty laundry about others showcases a lack of professionalism and tact, which is an automatic no for recruiters.

Kaitlyn says to not get nervous if there is silence. Recruiters often take a minute to write down notes or review your paperwork to prepare for the next question or phase of the process. Don’t continue to ramble. Interviews tend to get out of control when there are not gaps in the conversation. She says it is okay to sit and wait for the next question, it gives you a minute to get your thoughts together.

Finally, Jennifer says to stay humble. Displaying a sense of entitlement or a know-it-all attitude when talking about technical skills is often viewed as a negative. While self-confidence is a positive trait, being seen as entitled or a braggart is often a clue you do not work well with others.

First Things Recruiters Notice About You:

Whether you are on a Skype interview or meeting with a recruiter in-person, the first thing a recruiter notices about you is your appearance and greeting.

For Skype interviews, Matt says he immediately takes notice of how candidates are dressed. He suggests you wear an entire suit to your interview, not just the top half. He says it is easy to tell by a candidate’s attitude whether the person would be a good team fit simply from the greeting. Be positive, alert, and smile!

Malia conducts many face-to-face interviews for Reynolds. She says if a candidate shows up to an interview disheveled, with messy hair, and in blue jeans, it definitely shows they are unprepared and unorganized. A suit jacket and dress pants go a long way. Dress for the job you want, not the job you have.

Kaitlyn recommends not letting your appearance fall to the wayside at career fairs, either. Along with nice looking attire, a sturdy handshake, a confident approach to the booth, and a well-thought out, immediate elevator speech will give you bonus points in the eyes of recruiters. She says she doesn’t want to pry information out of you. Having an elevator speech can get the conversation off to a fast start and allows the recruiter to understand what you want to hear about the company.

How to Make a Recruiter Interested in Hiring You:

Matt advises to show enthusiasm about the opportunity. Even if you typically are a more reserved individual, it is okay to show excitement about a position and company. He adds that attitude is huge. When it comes to multiple candidates with similar resumes and applications, the candidate who has a positive attitude is the one that leaves a lasting impression.

Show confidence without being smug, mentions Malia. Exuding confidence during the interview will show you are capable to take on the position and you will be a great asset to the company.
Jennifer says be friendly, excited, and appreciative. You should show interest when talking or hearing about the position. Also, it is OK to follow up and check in on the status of your application – just don’t overwhelm the recruiter with five emails or phone calls every day.

Interviewing for a job will never be easy. Give yourself the best chance of success by dressing professionally, having a good attitude, and being prepared.